396 KEPOKT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 



3. They have doubtless decreased within the last ten years. 



4. During- the past year about 00,000 barrels of rouud fish were caught 

 by vessels from this district, all of which were used for bait for mackerel 

 and codfish. The side of the fish is cut longitudinally from the head 

 downward, on either side of the bone, while the head and vertebrie are 

 thrown away ; the pieces cut off, called slivers, are salted and packed in 

 barrels for bait. Three barrels of round fish will make one barrel of 

 slivers. Nearly all the pogies caught in this district are used in this 

 manner for bait. There are about 800,000 barrels caught off the coast 

 of Maine, all of which are used in making oil. The refuse, or chum, be- 

 ing used for manure. 



5. Their numbers doubtless decrease from their extensive capture. 



G. The first appearance of these fish in Massachusetts Bay is about 

 the loth of May, alternating in quantity, and culminating about the 15th 

 of June. The first arrivals are the largest. For a few days they are 

 seen, then disapi^ear, then reappearing in about three days in large 

 quantities. 



7. They swim near the surface, and are often seen with their heads 

 out of water going in one direction. Their arrival is known by obser- 

 vation, as they always show themselves, and in moderate or calm weather 

 they can be seen for miles schooling, or breaking water as it is called. 



8. They come along the coast from the south, that is, taking Cape Cod 

 as the southern boundary of our vessels' operations, and from theuce 

 follow the coast of Massachusetts and Maine as far north as the south- 

 ern limit of the British possessions, but they are not taken on the Brit- 

 ish coast. (TJnder the Treaty of Washington this extensive fishery is 

 now thrown open to British fishermen, when formerly they were obliged 

 to buy pogy bait from our fishermen.) 



9. They have not failed to make their appearance regularly for the 

 past thirty years, and always in large quantities. 



10. Since they have been taken in large quantities for their oil 

 they have gradually avoided the bays, creeks, harbors, and rivers, 

 where they once resorted in immense numbers, and are now principally 

 taken from one to ten miles from the shore. Some of the fishermen 

 maintain tbat since the advent of the bluefish (the most destructive 

 fish in our waters) some twenty years ago, the pogies have sought deeper 

 water for their own safety, while others maintain that the bluefish 

 drive the pogies into shoal water; doubtless both statements are at times 

 true. 



11. When in deep water, subject to but little action by the tide, they 

 are not apparentl^^ affected, but when in close proximity to the shore 

 they will go up rivers and creeks with the tide and come out with it. 

 Thej' naturally tend inshore mornings and go off evenings. 



12. Chesapeake Bay, Long Island Sound, and along the coast of ifew 

 England, are their most favorite resorts. 



13. They are found in all depths of water, and usually swim low during 

 easterly winds. 



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